Unit 1.2: Primary Research of Roles in Creative and Media Jobs

Case Studies

Here is some primary research I did about jobs in the Creative and Media scene, this is primary research because these are people I have met and have told me about their different jobs.

Paul Mardles: Journalist
• Works for The Observer as a subeditor, reviewing art and culture and has been there for almost 6 years. He started his music journalism career at a music magazine called ‘Sound’, which no longer exists.
• To prepare for his work he has to always do as much research as possible and should back up the research with other sources.
• To be successful he must meet deadlines as lateness is not tolerated, you will get one warning and that is it.
• The job can be frustrating sometimes, as although someone may lead an interesting life they don’t always allow that to come across in the interview, especially if they are not very talkative.
• To be a good journalist you need to be able to string sentences together, see things others can’t, be generally interested in the person you’re interviewing, read a lot and have a feel for how words work on the page.
• He had to be persistent without being rude in order to get his foot in the door and had to be prepared to work for nothing for a while.

Marcel Pusey: Bassistry + O-Generator Producer
• He has a band called Bassistry but also came up with the O-Generator software, which is used to teach people how bars in music work.
• He has his own company.
• His software can sell for £300 but could only take £4 to make each unit.
• The job of making the software was long and hard; it took 5-6 years to make.
• Queen and the first gig he went to inspired Pusey, his first gig was Def Leopard and he described it as mesmerizing.

Chanelle Newman (Sony) + Akala (Rap Artist): Hip Hop Shakespeare Company
• Chanelle is Akala’s manager but is also his partner as they both have their own company, which is called the Hip Hop Shakespeare Company.
• As well as being a rap artist Akala’s company teaches young people about music and gives them a healthy environment in which to develop their musical skills.
• It pays better if you take the time to do it yourself, if you cope with it all and take your time and are dedicated to it.
• Quincy Jones and Jimmy Hendrix inspired Akala to go into music.

Kevin Leo: Song Writer
• Kevin Leo is a vocal trainer and songwriter
• Worked with such artists as JLS and the Sugababes
• He is happy with what he does but says he has to work long and short hours depending on the client he is with at the time

Marcina Arnold: Voice Coach
• Marcina Arnold is a London based singer/song writer/percussionist
• When she visited we were involved in a task where we sang a blues song.